Cattle on Feed and Drought

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

 

The latest Cattle on Feed report showed a record April feedlot inventory of 12.1 million head, up 1.7 percent year over year.  The quarterly inventory of steers on feed was up 1.8 percent year over year while the inventory of heifers on feed was up 1.7 percent over one year ago.  The total inventory included 62.3 percent steers and 37.7 percent heifers.  The current level of heifers on feed does not suggest heifer retention for herd expansion. For example, from 2014-2016 in the last herd expansion, the average level of heifers on feed was 33.6 percent

 

March placements were fractionally lower than last year, down 0.4 percent.  This total was well above pre-report expectations of an eight percent decrease in placements. Once again feedlots have found cattle to place when feeder supplies are tightening.  The largest increase in placements was in Nebraska, which was up 6.8 percent year over year.  Placements in Kansas and Colorado were equal to last year while Texas was down 6.5 percent and Iowa was down 10.7 percent year over year. 

 

March feedlot marketings were down 2.0 percent from last year as expected. Nebraska also had large marketings in March, up 7.7 percent year over year.  Kansas marketings were also up 2.1 percent over last year.  Iowa marketings were down 0.9 percent year over year in March while Texas was down 8.8 percent in marketings and Colorado feedlots marketed 9.3 percent fewer cattle compared to last year.

 

As May approaches and widespread drought conditions persist, cattle industry impacts are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks.  However, there are indications that drought is already impacting cattle markets significantly.  Auction totals and other data seemed to indicate that March placements would be sharply lower.  The unexpectedly large March feedlot placement total may indicate unusual movement of feeder cattle out of the country.  It is possible that some heifers originally designated as replacements on January 1 are already being diverted to feedlots.

 

Beef cow slaughter for the year to date is up 17.5 percent year over year.  This combined with the large number of heifers in feedlots and the fact that heifer slaughter is up 2.0 percent year over year thus far in 2022 suggests that female numbers are being pulled down even before the worst drought impacts are felt.  Perhaps the ongoing drought, carried over from 2021 for many producers, combined with strong feeder cattle and cull cow prices is prompting early adjustments in herds. At the current pace of cow slaughter, the beef cow herd could decrease up to four percent year over year in 2022.  This would be the largest yearly decrease in the beef cow inventory since the 1980s. The pace of cow slaughter may slow in the second half of the year but is expected to remain strong in the second quarter and significant herd liquidation seems inevitable this year. 

 

 

Cattle Operation Emergency Preparedness

Rosslyn Biggs, Beef Cattle Extension Specialist and Director of Continuing Education and Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

 

Springtime usually brings concerns of tornadoes and severe weather. However, with continuing drought conditions, fears of wildfires may be high on producers’ minds. Fortunately, having an emergency preparedness plan can assist a cattlemen’s ability to respond to varying threats throughout the year.  Developing a disaster plan is a good idea for both people and all the animals they care for on a farm or ranch.

 

The preparedness and response plan should be customized to the type of operation and possible threats. For instance, an element of a fire response plan would be the mechanics of relocating stock to a safer location. If not possible, a defensible area, that both people and animals could be moved to, would be designated. In advance, this area should be cleared of excess material with fire fueling potential, have perimeters established, and have ready access to water.

 

As part of the plan a livestock disaster preparedness kit should be developed. Elements of the kit should be accessible and in good working order. Below are suggested items:

 

• Truck and trailer
• Halters, leads, and rope
• Pet crates
• Hay, feed, and water that can be transported
• Non-perishable food items and water for personnel
• Containers to feed and water
• Trashcan with lid and trash bags
• Livestock marking crayon and bright colored spray paint
• Pocket knives, wire cutters/fencing pliers, hammer, shovel, and bolt cutters
• Gloves and bandanas
• Baling wire and duct tape
• Flashlights with batteries
• Radio with batteries
• Backup phone chargers
• Generator
• Portable panels
• First aid kit with medications and bandage material for humans and animals
• Verifiable animal records, identification, and registration documents
• Emergency contact numbers including veterinarian

 

Part of the disaster plan should outline communication of all personnel before, during, and after the threat. More than one travel route should be established when evacuation is required. This approach also allows safety of personnel to stay top-of-mind during a response. Regular review of the plan and training exercises are encouraged so all members of the family or team are on the same page and know when and where to report.

 

Farmers and ranchers are resilient people and understand the importance of preparing for all kinds of circumstances. Emergency preparedness well in advance of a threat allows producers to respond in a manner that minimizes losses and hopefully allows recovery to occur in a more timely and efficient manner. More emergency response and preparedness guidance can be found at www.extensiondisaster.net.

 

 

Managing Pastures with High Fertilizer Prices and Drought

Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist

 

Prices for DAP, urea, anhydrous ammonia and UAN have all reached all time high prices. The cost per pound of actual N is over $1.13/pound for urea and 32% UAN. Last year we were complaining about the increasing cost of fertilizer, and it was only about half the cost it is now.

 

• Fertilization increases water use efficiency, this may be important in drier than normal conditions, but the high prices still has fertilization out of reach for most production systems.
• Each pound of actual nitrogen applied will add 30 to 40 pounds of forage production per acre in bermudagrass and Old World Bluestem pastures and hay meadows. The added forage production will cost about 3 to 4¢/pound at the current fertilizer prices, or about $60 to 80 per ton of increased hay production per acre.
• For stocker steers, we can get an extra 1.5 to 2 pounds of gain for each pound of nitrogen, so the cost of that added gain would be around $0.55 to $0.75/pound.
• In cow- calf operations, a calf value to N cost ratio of 2.5 would indicate fertilization is potentially profitable. A weaned calf would need to bring $2.87 per pound for fertilization to be profitable.
• What should you do if you cannot afford fertilizer?

 

You have 2 choices, 1) apply fertilizer at a targeted rate or 2) don’t apply any fertilizer.

 

In either case, you will need to improve management.

 

If a producer does not normally fertilize pastures and/or hay fields, then there is little consequence of not fertilizing since his stocking rate should already be matched to the natural productivity of the land. However, if the producer has been fertilizing pastures to support his livestock operation, then cutting back fertilizer will require improved management to increase the utilization of the forage and to allow enough rest between grazing cycles for the grass to remain healthy. Also the fertilizer that is applied must be targeted to specific times of the year at rates that match livestock need to prevent excess forage growth and waste of fertilizer value.

 

For each ton of hay removed from a field about 30 to 40 pounds of nitrogen, 14 pounds of phosphorus, and 45 to 50 pounds of potassium are being removed. When cattle graze or are fed hay most of the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are returned to the pasture in excreta. So, improved grazing distribution of grazing and hay feeding will improve the distribution of recycled nutrients.

 

Weed control increases forage production. For each pound of broadleaf weed production, we see grass production decrease by at least a pound. Controlling weeds is therefore even more important in drought and high fertilizer situations.

 

In summary, with high fertilizer prices we need to improve forage management, cull the cowherd to reduce stocking rates, practice weed control, and consider seeding legumes in the fall to help out next spring.

 

 

Upcoming OQBN Meetings on Preparations for Spring Vaccinations

Jeff Robe, Oklahoma Quality Beef Network Coordinator

 

Spring branding is right around the corner, and now is the time to start planning ahead for calf vaccinations.  The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network (OQBN) in conjunction with several Oklahoma State County Extension offices are offering Spring Calf Health Workshops.  Some of the topics discussed will include vaccinating for VAC-45 programs, recent research looking at BRD vaccine type and timing of use, vaccine handling, and needle size and selection. Guest speakers from the animal health industry will also be on hand to discuss vaccine products.  Programs will also include “Make and Take Vaccine Coolers” and Beef Quality Assurance training.  Vaccine coolers are by RSVP only.  Please contact your local County Extension Educator for more details about a specific meeting as some content varies. 

 

Meeting Schedule:

May 5^th - Noble County Spring Calf Health Workshop

Location: Noble County Fairgrounds

Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm (Lunch provided)

Contact: Chad Webb (580) 336-4621

    

Grady County Spring Calf Health Workshop

Location: Grady County Fairgrounds

Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Contact: Allie Minor (405) 224-2216

 

May 9^th -  Washington County Spring Calf Health Workshop

Location: TBD

Time: 11:00am- 1pm (Lunch provided)

Contact: Kennedy McCall (918) 534-2216

                               

May 12^th - Pawnee County Spring Calf Health Workshop

Location: Pawnee County Fairgrounds, Women’s Building

Time: 11am-2pm (Lunch provided)

Contact: Rick Clovis (918) 762-2735

  

May 18^th – Comanche/Tilman County Spring Calf Health Workshop

Location: Chattanooga Civic Center, Chattanooga, OK

Time: 11:30AM – 1:30PM (Lunch provided)

Contact: Trevor Vaughn (580) 355-1176 or Aaron Henson (580) 335-2515

 

May 19^th - Kay County Spring Calf Health Workshop

Location: Southern Plains Livestock Market, 606 N. 29^th St. Blackwell, OK 74631

Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm (Lunch provided)

Contact: Kay County Extension (580) 362-3194